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Wolverines rumoured to leave Whitecourt

Rumours are once again circulating that the Whitecourt Wolverines will be leaving the town after a text message exchange between owner Brent Stark and XM 105 FM.

The radio station published the article on Feb. 10, which has lead to the Town proposing a meeting with the team.

Stark stated it was "embarrassing" that his team still didn't have its own locker room after six years in Whitecourt despite his team travelling across Canada and the United States to promote the municipality.

"You get here and our facility is subpar," he said. "You're promoting your town, but you're town ain't doing nothing to help you on the facility."

The Wolverines are the only Alberta Junior Hockey Team without a locker room of their own. Stark noted that retaining players was becoming more "facility driven."

Stark added that he wasn't sure if the Wolverines would still be in Whitecourt next season. He explained that he had put around $300,000 towards the the Scott Safety Centre where the team is housed.

"I won't be putting another dollar into that arena," Stark said. "It's time for the Town to step up. If they want junior A hockey here, then we definitely have to have a facility here that can handle it."

The Wolverines had submitted a grant application to the province for a new dressing room as well as a roof and ceiling replacement for the Scott Safety Centre. This application would have paid for half the cost. The Town had also agreed to loan $400,000 to the team.

Whitecourt Mayor Maryann Chichak said this application fell through for a variety of reasons.

"The conversation actually came to a standstill at that point in time," Chichak added.

She also criticized how Stark handled the situation through the media.

"Those negotiations shouldn't be happening in public. They should be happening between the Wolverines and the Town of Whitecourt," Chichak said.

Stark defended his approach. He said the media and communities had been inquiring if he wanted to relocate or sell the Wolverines and felt the need to respond.

"The criticism, it can come from wherever it wants," Stark said. "This isn't a pitching match between me and Mayor Chichak."

The Town of Whitecourt and the Wolverines are expected to have a meeting for a possible resolution on Feb. 26, which did not occur before publish time. Stark stated that he would not be attending, while Chichak declined to comment further until after the meeting.